Proteomics and Deep Sequencing Comparison of Seasonally Active Venom Glands in the Platypus Reveals Novel Venom Peptides and Distinct Expression Profiles
- Author(s)
- Wong, ESW; Morgenstern, D; Mofiz, E; Gombert, S; Morris, KM; Temple-Smith, P; Renfree, MB; Whittington, CM; King, GF; Warren, WC; Papenfuss, AT; Belov, K;
- Details
- Publication Year 2012-11,Volume 11,Issue #11,Page 1354-1364
- Journal Title
- MOLECULAR & CELLULAR PROTEOMICS
- Publication Type
- Journal Article
- Abstract
- The platypus is a venomous monotreme. Male platypuses possess a spur on their hind legs that is connected to glands in the pelvic region. They produce venom only during the breeding season, presumably to fight off conspecifics. We have taken advantage of this unique seasonal production of venom to compare the transcriptomes of in-and out-of-season venom glands, in conjunction with proteomic analysis, to identify previously undiscovered venom genes. Comparison of the venom glands revealed distinct gene expression profiles that are consistent with changes in venom gland morphology and venom volumes in and out of the breeding season. Venom proteins were identified through shot-gun sequenced venom proteomes of three animals using RNA-seq-derived transcripts for peptide-spectral matching. 5,157 genes were expressed in the venom glands, 1,821 genes were up-regulated in the in-season gland, and 10 proteins were identified in the venom. New classes of platypusvenom proteins identified included antimicrobials, amide oxidase, serpin protease inhibitor, proteins associated with the mammalian stress response pathway, cytokines, and other immune molecules. Five putative toxins have only been identified in platypus venom: growth differentiation factor 15, nucleobindin-2, CD55, a CXC-chemokine, and corticotropin-releasing factor-binding protein. These novel venom proteins have potential biomedical and therapeutic applications and provide insights into venom evolution. Molecular & Cellular Proteomics 11: 10.1074/mcp.M112.017491, 1354-1364, 2012.
- Publisher
- AMER SOC BIOCHEMISTRY MOLECULAR BIOLOGY INC
- Keywords
- CEREBELLAR GRANULE NEURONS; CRF-BINDING-PROTEIN; SNAKE-VENOM; ORNITHORHYNCHUS-ANATINUS; FUNCTIONAL-CHARACTERIZATION; ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY; GENE-EXPRESSION; MAMMARY-GLAND; EVOLUTION; FAMILY
- Research Division(s)
- Bioinformatics
- Link To PubMed Central Version
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3494181/
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.1074/mcp.M112.017491
- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- © 2012 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.
Creation Date: 2012-11-01 12:00:00